Culinary Press Release

California Avocados are in Peak Season and at Their Best

IRVINE, Calif. (July 1, 2009) – Summertime marks the peak of California avocado season, when this premium fruit is readily available. Straight from the lush groves of California farmers, now is the perfect time to savor delicious California avocados.

Ninety percent of the nation's avocado crop is grown in California by approximately 6,000 farmers who nurture, plant and harvest their trees by hand. Some growers were born into this life, carrying on a family tradition that is more than a century-old. Others only recently found their life’s passion while tending a thriving grove. While each avocado grower’s story is different, the commitment to quality can be seen and tasted in the fruit that is produced.

The Abbott family has decades of experience growing avocados in California. On their farm in Carpinteria, Calif., they strive to work with nature, rather than against it. Third-generation farmer Duncan Abbott and his son Robert have been practicing sustainable farming for years, creating more energy on their ranch than they consume. Avocados are hand-pruned, hand-picked and hand-packaged to limit the use of heavy machinery and a solar panel powers the Abbott’s house and barn to conserve energy. The Abbotts’ trees are grown in all-natural compost and fish oils are used in place of insecticides.

“Laying the groundwork for sustainable farming can be costly, but the worth of preserving the bountiful land we live and farm on is invaluable,” explains Duncan Abbott. “We hand-grow our California avocados using practices that help ensure that the Earth will stay lush and fruitful for many generations to come.”

At the age of 73, Duncan still tends to the groves. A former investment banker, he decided long ago to trade his high-profile lifestyle for the satisfaction of being part of the family business, farming California avocados. He has passed his deep appreciation for the land on to his son Robert who is an avid environmentalist.

Pairing environmental activism and farming, Robert has merged two worlds that traditionally hold conflicting interests. The innovative farming practices that have resulted from this pairing have set a pioneering example for growers nationwide.

While avocado farming runs deep in the Abbotts’ veins, it is a relatively new venture for the Bruce family, who recently fulfilled their lifelong dream of running a farm in California. Developers by trade, Mark and Linda Bruce discovered that a plot of land they had purchased for real estate development in Simi Valley was ideal for growing avocados. Although the couple didn’t have the knowledge of how to farm avocados, the Bruces decided to seize the opportunity to realize their dream of raising their family on a farm. In 1999, they planted their first 10 acres of avocado trees, proud to officially become California avocado farmers.

“From floods, to fires and freezes, starting the farm was certainly not easy, but the unbelievable memories that our family has formed watching the young avocado seedlings grow into maturity as our two children played among the trees are precious,” recounts Mark Bruce. “We now have 65 acres planted that we hope to eventually pass on to our children, so that they can share our passion for producing premium quality California avocados.”

With California avocados now in season, it is the ideal time to enjoy this delicious fruit, hand-grown by farmers like the Abbotts and Bruces. Both the Abbott Family Gazpacho with California Avocado recipe and the Bruce Family California Avocado and Smoked Salmon on Homemade Bagel Chips with Wasabi Cream recipe are straight from the farms of California avocado growers and are meant to inspire consumers with new ideas on how to savor this premium fruit. More recipes featuring California avocados can be found at www.CaliforniaAvocado.com.

*Large avocados are recommended for these recipes. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

About the California Avocado Commission Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the state's 6,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry.